Peelable Protective Sheath

摘要

A peelable protective sheath and related assemblies/systems and methods are disclosed. The protective sheath may be used on a balloon catheter to protect the balloon and any coating thereon. The protective sheath may be peelable to make removal of the protective sheath easier. The peelable protective sheath may be inserted into a hemostatic valve and introducer while still disposed over the balloon of a balloon catheter to protect the balloon and any bioactive coating thereon from damage during insertion. The peelable protective sheath may be peeled from a proximal end to initiate removal. Alternatively, the peelable protective sheath may be peeled from a distal end of the peelable protective sheath as the balloon catheter is inserted through a hemostatic valve and introducer.

主权项

1. A protective sheath for protecting a balloon of a balloon catheter, comprising:
a tubular body portion comprising polymer molecules aligned parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the tubular body portion, the tubular body portion including an inner lumen with an inner diameter only slightly larger than an outer diameter of the balloon in a deflated, folded configuration, the tubular body portion configured to hold the balloon in the deflated, folded configuration without compressing the balloon; and a first tab extending axially from the tubular body portion, the first tab including a first textured surface on a first side facing away from the central longitudinal axis and a second textured surface on a second side facing toward the central longitudinal axis.